Art's Ramblings

Is there anybody out there?

2006-05-19T00:33:00.000-04:00

Wow, I haven't written in here since January. I don't know if I have given it up or not but I thought I'd write in it it anyway. I still only have the K-Mart job but I am getting about 29 hours a week or so by accident. I only get scheduled for like 22 but someone calls in sick or whatever and I get a shift. But still no 2nd job or one really good one. We are moving but don't know where. Zander is now over a year old and walking more than ever. Our TV blew up and only produces sound. I am glad we got a 5-year plan for it since we are still paying it off. My mom wants to come visit at the end of the month. She hasn't seen her grandson since he was about 3 months old. He's really into Blue's Clues, Dora the Explorer and The Backyardigans. We had Ruby Tuesday's today and I ate my 1st bison burger. It was pretty good. It was heartier than beef but since it was covered with cheese and pickles and onions it didn't seem to be that different than beef. I will have to go there again and try it prepared another way. I am gonna leave it at that I guess. Wonder if anyone reads this. Is anyone out there?

It's been 2 months.

2006-01-05T18:18:00.000-05:00

Yes, since I wrote my last entry. A lot has happened in that time. I have since quit my job at the movie theater. Finally. I hated it with a passion. I was able to work at K-Mart instead where I was actually appreciated. They gave me 40-hour weeks and I made some extra money with comission. Right now I am only getting about 27 hours a week but I am enjoying my down time with my family even though Zander is quite the handful. He crawls now which he wasn't doing when I last wrote. He can use the furniture around him to make himself stand which means he should be walking around any day now. My Christmas was pretty good. This year it was spent in Maine. We will be in Florida next time. Laura and Zander and I got a lot of presents which are still all over the living room but we are still enjoying them. I had to work New Year's but when I got home Laura and I just watched Spider-Man and spent time together. Currently, I have been trying to figure out what I am going to do with my job situation but I am not quite sure how to proceed. Should I try looking online? Should I physically go out there and see what's available? It's hard in January after all the holiday jobs are gone. I may try and get a teaching job at a high school although to be certified I have to take a class first. The idea of teaching students who don't want to be there is not my idea of fun but I need to do something. I also dread the idea of talking to these kids' parents which I never had to do working in colleges. We got a lot of snow today but it still doesn't feel like the past few winters we have had. It seems last winter we had tons and tons of snow but it's pretty mild this year. Even when it has snowed on days I have had to work I haven't had to drive 25 miles so that is a big plus. Anyway, I need to go check on my son since he's not happy in the chair right now. Hopefully I will write more soon.

I hate my job

2005-11-13T23:25:00.000-05:00

Well, it's been a long time again since I have written anything here. I am not sure why it takes me so long to write anything but I thought now was the time to do so. I hate my job. I really do. I have 2 and I hate one of them so much. My K-Mart job I don't mind so much. When it starts to get busy I feel like I am sort of in my element retail-wise. I mean not that I find selling electronics a life's calling but when there's a rush around the holidays and I can help people find what they need to make someone's Christmas present the right gift, that makes me feel good. But when I am by myself and there are too many people, that can be frustrating. I am not sure that I am great at this job but at least I don't feel like get shit from my higher ups. Now the movie theater job I have used to be okay until they fired my last boss. He looked out for me there and since we were both the only non-Mainers there we saw eye-to-eye on what they didn't see. He looked at the big picture. The people who work for Flagship Cinemas have such a weird way of looking at how to run a business it boggles my mind. They have no idea how to treat employees well. It's so damn frustrating. I wish I could find something else to do right now. Maybe since it's the holidays I can find something else at least temporarily. I would love to work in a bookstore again. There are a few in town and I think maybe I could try doing that again. Maybe when I get out of work I will stop by the mall and get some applications. Or perhaps the bookstore in front of K-Mart. I like working in a movie theater but this company sucks so bad. I like the free movies but I don't get to see movies that often so is it even worth it? If I am in L/A long enough I'd try the Best Buy even. I really want to teach again though. I miss it. I felt like I had found what I was supposed to be doing with my professional life. Unfortunately it ended at a high point when my mother-in-law's cancer got worse. I can't believe it's been almost 3 years since that happened and I have had only one teaching job since. That job was horrendous too. Why is it that I can't seem to find a job that will make me happy up here? Am I really that lazy? Do I really hate change? I think there's truth to some of that. I can be lazy and avoid change sometimes. But I am so stuck in this rut that I really need to do something to change it. I am glad to have Laura in my life because I know she supports me and will always be there for me. I don't know what I'd do without her in my life. The thing that worries me is how I will be perceived by my son. I know he can't really fathom how upset I am with my job situation. All he can do is eat, sleep, poop, and smile and laugh. It's the smiles and the laughing that make my day sometimes. Yeah, I get frustrated when he cries and I can't figure out why but when he smiles and laughs it makes me happy. My wife and I have created this little perfect child and I want to give him what he wants and needs but first I have to get a job that I am at least happy with. Anyway, I will end on that note. My son's smiling happy face. It keeps me going.

Aren't I cute?

2005-09-27T01:59:00.000-04:00

My favorite tripod picture

2005-09-27T01:57:00.001-04:00

The Tripod

2005-09-27T01:57:00.000-04:00

Man, why does it take me so long to write things here? Does anyone even read it? So what's new? I am trying to get a new job. It's a teaching job in Oxford as a high school Spanish teacher. But I need to get some sort of certification so I am dealing with that. Unfortunately as written in my last post my wife's grandmother passed away shortly after I wrote it. It happened so fast. I will always remember how welcoming she was with me ever since Laura introduced me to her and her family over 5 years ago. I will also remember all the food she cooked. (How could I not?) So I am wondering how Thanksgiving will go this year. It's usually over her place. Also, a friend of my wife's mother has died as well. So more death is happening. Hopefully she is doing better and her family is as well. Must be rough. I was there when Laura's mom died and it is something I can never forget because of all the emotions involved. My sincere condolences to all involved. Another bad thing: a couple of her friends are splitting up. This has not been the best time. I know that is hard also and we are there for them if they need us. We had a yard sale and it went okay. Not great. Wish we could have gotten rid of more. On a good note, even though he cries sometimes I still love my son. It's like sometimes he fights sleep and this makes him cry more because he doesn't want to fall asleep. Then he gets angrier and angrier. Poor kid. Poor us. But he is able to sit briefly for short periods of time. It's the tripod. I have sent out those pictures and hope you enjoy them. I need to get to bed now though. Man I am tired. See ya.

Death and Birthdays

2005-08-20T15:38:00.000-04:00

I have a lot to say I guess but I am sort of numb right now. It seems that my wife's grandmother is in the hospital and not doing well. They took her off the machine that is supposed to keep her breathing today and there's nothing they can do for her. I am sitting here nervously awaiting the phone call we are sure to get that tells us she has passed away knowing how hard it was the last time we got that call when her mother died. That night is extremely clear in my head and whenever I think about it it makes me teary-eyed. Nothing is sadder to me than hearing and seeing my wife cry and knowing that all I can do to make her feel any better at all is to hold her. It seems unfair that she should have to lose 2 people so close to her in such a short span of time when I haven't lost anyone close to me since my grandmother died in 1983. Laura's family put on quite the brave faces so they could help to celebrate my 30th birthday (which was Tuesday). The Friday dinner was planned before all of this but even though I appreciated all the food and gifts it didn't seem right to really celebrate anything. My birthday seemed really strectched out this year since I was able to celebrate in Florida last week before my actual birthday and then again last night. It made me think about all the shit going on with my blog here. I know that some of you reading it hate my guts right now for some of the things I said which is fine. I wasn't trying to please everyone. I am also not trying to be mean for mean's sake. But it is sad and frustrating that after all this time we can't all get along for Laura's sake. She doesn't have to deal with any of that shit right now. I received an e-mail from one of you which I appreciated because it got things in the open between us. I am an easy person to talk to one-on-one and perhaps if you decide you don't want to feud for Laura's sake nothing could make me happier. If you want to ignore the whole thing, then what has changed? One of my biggest pet peeves is when people are nice to your face but then talk shit about you behind your back. This bothers me to end. If you have a problem with me, let me know. We're adults for chrissake not teenagers. I am too old to feel the need to deal with any of you on a superficial level. I would love to be able to get along with each and every one of you if you would let me. If that's not possible then please try and avoid me altogether because I would rather just not talk to you than for you to feign pleasantries with me. Now, I am not sure what the problem is between all of us. I wish I did. If I did something to offend you, just say so. I would gladly apologize so we could get past the animosity. I don't need the aggravation anymore. I am truly happy with my family. I love Laura with everything I have. We share the most wonderful son a man could hope for. I feel blessed with what I have. (Except for my jobs but that's another story.) I really want to bury the hatchet and hope that this is enough to make you (you know who you are) want to extend the hand of friendship to communicate like mature adults. What's it gonna be?

Another month

2005-08-03T23:44:00.000-04:00

Wow, I can't believe it has been a month since I have posted anything. And so much yet nothing has happened. My son is another month older almost. He weighs over 14 lbs. and is 25 inches long which is in the 90th percentile. That boy is gonna be tall! We are leaving for Florida next week and I am excited about that. I am happy to have a bunch of days off in a row and also that my family gets to meet Zander. My mother has met him as well as my sister but that's it. I tried for a job in Florida but they didn't even give me an interview. And it was my old school even! We almost tried to get another house instead of this one. That was rather complicated and mostly Laura's doing anyway. I personally don't think we are ready and if things are this rough right now with a baby I can't imagine trying to throw in moving and everything involved in that process. But that's over for now and we are concentrating on trying to fix up the house for if we ever decide to try and move elsewhere. I am also dealing with a sunburned arm and neck. Every summer my left arm flares up and itches like crazy. I really hate it. I had to buy some anti-itch stuff but I think it's making me ill. I am usually pretty good about staying out of the sun but we had a party on Saturday and most of it took place outside. I only invited a few people since I don't have that many friends. Only 3 of them showed up for the actual party and 2 showed up after everyone left. The 4 of us played poker and I was looking forward to playing poker at the end of the night with whoever was left and give out the grand prize which I didn't want to reveal. So of course, no one in my wife's friends group wanted to play poker. Some didn't know how to play and some I guess just didn't want to try. I get so frustrated with them sometimes. They just seem so unadventurous when it comes to things. They never want to try new foods and like to stick with what they like. I mean how do you know you don't like something if you've never tried it? I am glad I married someone who is willing to try different things. She grew up in Maine and people around here just seem stuck in a rut to me. I don't mean to generalize but that's how they seem to me. I also feel like many people in Maine don't really "get me" for some reason. I know I can be rough around the edges but once you get to know me I am a pretty good guy and loyal as hell. There's nothing I wouldn't do for a friend. I have finally found friends who like me (I think and hope) and like the same sorts of things I do. Sure I am a bit older than them but not by much. (One of them is even older than me!) I have started a poker night here at my house on Monday nights and these friends come almost every week in some combination. I really can't hang out. I have a responsibility to be home when I am not working so I can give my wife any help she needs with my son. So I suggested doing the poker thing at my place so I could feel like I had a social life. I really enjoy it and look forward to it afer my weekend. Anyway, what happened on Saturday is this. Once it was time to go inside when the sun went down, we all agreed to play Scene-It the t.v. version. I am not as good at the t.v. version as I am the movie version but we hadn't even opened the box so I wanted to check it out. So we split up into 2 teams I think because it wound up being 2 sides arguing. My team had to watch a clip of the old Incredible Hulk show and then we were asked this question: What artist created The Incredible Hulk? Now, I know a lot about comics. And so did a few people there, especially Talcott. He speaks up and says, "Do they mean Stan Lee or Jack Kirby?" Both are credited with creating the Hulk. Stan Lee came up with the concept and Jack Kirby drew the Hulk based on Stan Lee's info. So we were wondering who would the game credit it with. Now, Stan Lee is not an artist in the sense that he doesn't draw. If you look at the Marvel characters he is credited with he is the co-creator of the X-Men, Hulk, Spider-Man, Daredevil, and so forth because even though he came up with the concepts he needed to find that artist to visualize what he had in mind. So we sat there and explained it to ourselves and the other team that we weren't sure what answer they were looking for. The team made us choose an answer. We said Jack Kirby. Of course the screen says Stan Lee because only a nerd would know Kirby. And then it happened. They wouldn't give us the points or whatever. Even though we explained that the game had worded the question badly they still wouldn't accept it. So instead of saying, okay let's throw it out, we moved on. I said I wouldn't forget this. And on the next question I didn't have to. The question that came up next had something to do with a Bob Newhart show. I don't watch any of his shows. The question asked something like, What was the job of Newhart's neighbor? So the one girl who knows a shitload about t.v. says he was an airplane pilot. This answer was incorrect. The true answer was airplane navigator. Seem familiar? So even though they got this incorrect, I heard all kinds of bitching and moaning that the pilot and navigator are the same thing. THEY ARE NOT. The pilot flies the plane and the navigator maps out the flightplan meaning he tells the pilots how and which way to get to their destination. Now, if they had gotten this question before ours I am sure the people on my team would have given them the okay to be right. But since they made such a stink about our answer I was like, fuck you, you're wrong. I have never before seen such a petty display of hipocrasy! I mean come on! I just thought it was instant karma and I loved it. The few people I have talked to who were there said that was bullshit as well. Why is it so hard for this not to work out with some people? I love my wife so much but sometimes I want to slap her friends and ask why are you this way? Not that I don't get along with all her friends. I do get along with some of them. Some of them I think genuinely don't have a problem with me. Some I think just try not to show they have a problem with me but won't say anything and some I can tell hate my guts. I don't have a problem with this but don't expect me to be totally cordial if you're not gonna budge one inch. Well, I think I have bitched enough for one day. Laura if you are reading this I am sorry for any pain this may cause you but at least we have had the discussion about this before I typed this all out. I really would like things to work out with the friends you have that I don't get along with but I am not sure how that will work. I need to get some sleep. Night.

Nothing new really

2005-07-03T00:34:00.000-04:00

I am just writing since I am not as tired as I usually am. It's weird because there's not much to say really. I am still enjoying being a dad and my son is really great (see previous post). I had the day off but I work all day Sunday and Monday. Hopefully the 4th will be really slow so I don't have to thread movies over and over again. I assume people will have things to do instead of going to the movies. I don't get to see as many as I used to. I have seen Star Wars Episode III, Batman Begins, and Madagascar. I really want to see War of the Worlds and Fantastic Four but it's hard to get out with the child and I don't like to leave Laura all alone with him unless it's really necessary like when I am at work. I have enjoyed a night of poker at my house which had me stay up until 4 am. It was crazy. The sun was rising it was so damn early. But I really enjoyed the game and the company. It was nice to have friends to hang out with that weren't friends-in-law. I don't have any problems with Laura's friends but it's sort of nice to have my own. I haven't really made friends while in Maine but now I have. The last few people I hung out with were a decade younger than me. These are at least a few years older and can drink. Anyway, hopefully when I write next I will have more to say. Adios.

Love that boy

2005-06-21T01:39:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I've written. Fatherhood makes you a busy man. But it's totally worth it. I know I will change my tune when he's a pissed-off pain-in-the-ass rebellious teenager but right now he's the best son a guy could have. He's pretty easy to figure out most of the time but Laura is much better at it than me. She knows everything going on in that boy's face while I only have a modest knowledge. He looks like Laura's side of the family for sure. He has long fingers and toes which is a little weird. (I call them his monkey toes.) He has Laura's brow and chin. He has black hair and a much darker complexion so that's all me. Man, I wish I didn't get the urge to write this when I am dead tired and can't think straight. Hopefully I will write more later.

Computer Time

2005-06-03T23:15:00.000-04:00

Hey all. Man, it's hard to get to a computer to write things down for those of you who care to read my thoughts. Type things I mean. Having a child makes other things hard to do. I am not complaining at all because I love the time I spend with my son. Even when he's crying. I am not feeling well right now. I am sick and I have to pick up my mother from the airport tomorrow so she can take care of me, um, I mean my son. She's gonna be here for 10 days with my sister who's 9. It'll be the 1st time she sees her grandson even though he's not her 1st. He's her 3rd. My wife thinks it'll be stressful to deal with my mom because they're so different but she's gonna be here to help us when we need sleep or want time to ourselves. I just hope I get well enough to enjoy that time even though I have to work 50 hours. It's hard finding time to do a alot when you have a child. That was evidenced when my friend Neil visited us and we couldn't really do too much since we have him now. I don't mind this at all. A part of me will miss hanging out with friends like before but then again most of them are in Florida. I don't really hang with too many people around here even though I wish I could. But I look at my son with wonder. He stares back at me like he's trying to figure me out. He's already 4 weeks old, man. How time flies. Anyway, I am too tired to type more. Adios.

Big Changes

2005-05-16T18:42:00.000-04:00

Hello there in webland! It's been a while since I have written and most of you should know why. If you don't, here ya go. We are finally parents. Our little guy was born on 5-5-05. We shouldn't have any problem remembering his birthday. So things are a lot different here but in a good way. We love this child with all our heart. I never thought I'd get married much less have a child. The one thing that I do want to write about is how amazing my wife is. It's hard for me to verbalize that sort of thing but easy for me to write. It was so hard to see her in that much pain when she started feeling the contractions. It made me hurt so much emotionally. I gave myself a headache worrying that much. But when it came to it she did what she had to do. Even with the epidural it must have hurt so much. I will never know pain like that and I can't even imagine it. She was so strong that day and amazed me to no end. I doubt I could ever be as strong as she was and I am hoping that it doesn't deter her from wanting to have more children because I think she should have the daughter she wants and I don't want Zander to be an only child. Now I have this little family and am so happy with all of us. Now if only I could get a decent job around here I'd be set.

Not ready yet

2005-04-30T16:03:00.000-04:00

Hey all! I am feeling pretty good right now because we got Laura's test results back today and everything is great! Her tests revealed nothing bad at all. This means she'll give birth when the boy tells her he's ready. This is a great weight lifted off of my shoulders (even if this means no weight removed from hers). She also happens to be sick right now and the thought of trying to give birth while sick was not a fun idea for her. So she is sleeping right now and I am enjoying the day off. Adios!

A scare

2005-04-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

It's been a few days since I have posted and I have much to say. The most important thing I want to write about is Laura's health and the pregnancy. She has high blood pressure due to the pregnancy. It's something that has confined her to bedrest per the midwife's orders. Needless to say she hates it a lot but knows it must be done. She is only allowed to eat, go to the bathroom, and shower. When she's not doing any of the above she is in bed. Her feet and ankles are not swollen anymore which is a good sign. She has another appointment on Thursday which I am trying to find a way to go to. I work all day in Oxford and I am supposed to train new guys on how to build movies. So once I get there in the morning I will have to figure out what I am gonna do. The reason I want to go is because I have to know the outcome of her bedrest and if the midwife takes her blood pressure again and it hasn't dropped then they will have to induce labor which neither of us is looking forward to. On the plus side, Laura's ultrasound revealed that the baby is already 8 lbs. 4 oz. We're just about ready though. Our bags are just about packed too. The nursery looks pretty good and I am pleased with how it has come out. I had mentioned going for a job in Portland before. Well, I managed to get the resume and all that stuff out in the nick of time. The deadline was Friday and they must have gotten it since I got one of those affirmative action surveys on Saturday! It just asks me my ethnicity. Is it wrong to secretly want affirmative action to work for myself when it comes to my own job opportunities even if I may not be the most qualified? I at the very least meet the minimum requirements but not the preferred. On a different note, if you all get a chance, check out Kung Fu Hustle. It's a weird cartoon, martial arts, comedy hybrid. Hope you all don't mind subtitles. I should get to bed. I have been up since 6 am and work all day Monday. Have a good week everybody and wish us luck.

Washing machine

2005-04-19T16:18:00.000-04:00

We need a new washing machine. I hate having to spend large amounts of $ for big purchases like that but we need a new one. Ours has been acting up for the past few months and it's at the point now where it's frustrating to use. One of my shirts is actually stuck in it right now. It's sort of trapped under the spinner. This has happened before but this is the 1st time I have been unable to get it out. Not to mention the water hasn't been draining properly from it so when I get the clothes out they're pretty damn soaked. We also need to redo the floor of the kitchen and bathroom. We also would like a freezer for storage. Man, oh man, where the hell are we gonna get all this cash from? I know! I'll use this blog to ask for donations! So feel free to send any money you can and it will go to further my unborn child's future! Yeah, that's it. Anyway, enough of that. What else is new? I am trying to apply for this job but they want my transcripts and the application deadline is April 22nd. I have to get my resume up to speed and my applications letter has to be dynamite. Suggestions? Until next time.

Lately and movies

2005-04-18T01:30:00.000-04:00

Not a lot of news to report I guess. We have just under a month to go and we are both still super anxious. We have done just about everything we have left to do. The bags are mostly packed (except hers) and the car seats are in our cars. The drinks are packed and we got a new cd player for the baby's room. It cost us only $40. We wanted something in there so we could play soothing music. I have just finished reading Silent Bob Speaks by Kevin Smith and it is really funny so if there are any fans I suggest you check it out. I saw 2 movies at work or I should say for work on Thursday: Guess Who and Amityville Horror. Oh and I saw Hitch the other day with Laura since I have wanted to go to the movies with her for the longest time. All these movies were entertaining, nothing fantastic (like Sin City) but nothing horrible (like Christmas with the Kranks). I still want to check out Million Dollar Baby but may not get around to it until it comes out on DVD. (I missed The Jacket.) Next week a ton of movies come out: Kung Fu Hustle, The Interpreter, A Lot Like Love, King's Ransom. Not sure what I am going to have to watch for work but I don't want to have to sit through Sean Penn's mopey ass. He's a good actor and all but talk about a downer. His presence at the Oscars sealed the fate of a sequel to Fast Times ever happening since I can't even imagine he could be funny anymore. I am looking forward to seeing Batman Begins and Fantastic Four this summer not to mention Star Wars Episode III Revenge of the Sith. Anyway, I got to get some sleep since I work all day in Oxford. Feel free to say hello. Later.

Snow

2005-04-13T00:49:00.000-04:00

This is a just a quick one. Can you believe that it snowed today? April 12th? Isn't that spring already? What the hell? More at a later date.

Past few days

2005-04-11T03:40:00.000-04:00

Well, the past few days have been interesting for me although may not be for the casual reader of this thing (both of you). I have been working for the whole weekend although I haven't had to go into work until 5 p.m. (Thursday I was in all day and watched the 2 movies I built: Fever Pitch and Sahara. They were entertaining. Not great but definitely not the worst things ever made.) So Laura and I had the weekend planned. Saturday we went to Portland and spent like $300 buying baby stuff including the crib. So that's all done now. It's put together and everything. We have only one month to go. How time flies. I can't believe it. I'm gonna be a dad soon and I am starting to freak out. Have I mentioned that before? Actually we are both pretty anxious about it. We just wanted to get the birth part over with so we can enjoy being parents now. I don't know if there's anything left to do to get ready for this although we have yet to install the car seat or pack bags for ourselves and the baby. We really need to get a move on! I have Tuesday off and most of Wednesday off also so maybe we can do it then. Oh and we managed to get a sweet deal at Amazon.com. We bought some 7th Generation brand diapers and baby wipes from there (since they are supposed to be better for the environment says the wife) and if you spend $49 or more you get a $20 gift cerificate to be used at a later date. Sweet huh? To make it even sweeter if you spend over $25 the shipping is free. And to make it even sweeter still I applied for an Amazon.com credit card which gives you $30 off your first order using the card. So we managed to get $53 worth of stuff for $23 plus we are getting the gift certificate. Sometimes we are such smart shoppers. Anyway, I need to get going. I have so much shit on my Tivo that it might have to start deleting stuff to make room for it. So I may watch some and then go to bed. Adios!

The Vet's

2005-04-06T03:20:00.000-04:00

Today was a slow day. I had to work at the theater from 5 p.m. to 12 but I had the 1st part of the day off. We had to take 2 (of 3) cats to the vet's and it was not fun. They seemed to resist a lot more than I remember. Oreo was especially difficult. But they weighed the same as last year, which is good. Sweetie has some ear problems though so we have to apply some ointment to her ears twice a day. The nursery is starting to look nice but we still need that crib. I can't believe there are only 5 weeks left until my child is born. I am nervous about the actual birthing part and look forward to the dad part. I hope I will be able to figure out what I am doing but the book I am reading says it sort of comes natural and I hope they are right. Well, I am off to bed. I have to be up at 7 a.m. for work which blows. Adios.

Shower day

2005-04-04T03:18:00.000-04:00

Well, I just got home from work and it was very slow at the theater. We only sold to half of the movies at the 9:00 set. I was late to work by about an hour and 15 minutes thanks to the rain. We went one way and then saw the road was blocked so had to go another way which was longer. Oh well. I want to forget all that. I am glad my house hasn't flooded and hopefully the sun will come out and evaporate the water. I am pretty pleased with the way the shower went. Everyone was really nice and got us way too many gifts. That was just very generous of people considering I know many of us (myself included) have monetary issues to deal with. So thank again to everyone who went and even more thank if you gave us and our future child a gift. I got to see Sin City on Thursday night and even though I have never read any of those Frank Miller books I was blown away by the movie. I haven't really seen anything that original onscreen since Kill Bill. I highly recommend it although I doubt many women out there will like it. (But if you do you're extra cool with me.) Not much else to say. I am gonna go watch Robot Chicken on my Tivo. Check that out as well if you haven't already. It's quite the nostalgia fix for me and funny as hell. Later.

Work work work

2005-03-30T03:50:00.000-05:00

Been a few days. Hope everyone had a good Easter. We got ourselves a new cat that day. Well, she's not really new. She actually older than our 2 present ones but she's new to our house. Laura's dad isn't really home very often (because of the new job and new ladyfriend) so Simba (the aforementioned cat) hasn't been acting very nicely. So Laura decided to bring her here so she could maybe be happier. So far she (the cat) loves being around Laura and is very friendly with me as well. Unfortunately she has to constantly hiss at our other 2 cats who are curious about the new visitor. I am sure it will pass but it's not fun to be in the middle of catfights. We also took her to the vet today since her shots are way overdue and we bring in the other 2 next week. Can't wait for that. Been working a lot which blows of course since I wish I could be doing more at home especially since the shower is this weekend. My cousin and his family are coming so that is cool but we need to fix up the place to suit guests. Much to do. Anyway, I need sleep but I'll have to write more later.

My full day

2005-03-27T00:28:00.000-05:00

Well, I just got home about an hour ago and thought I'd write down how my day went in Portland. We left the house around 2 and grabbed some Wendy's to tide us over before our Indian dinner. Then we drove to Portland where we spent way too long looking for a parking spot. Man, was it busy. We had to walk a ways before we actually entered. Laura looked in the motherhood store while I was in Best Buy. I got the new Ozzy box set Prnice of Darkness which cost just $30 on sale: 4 cd's and a dvd; not too shabby. I also went to Spencer's and found myself a Robocop figure from the Movie Maniacs line which was pretty sweet. Just $10. We met up at Godiva and bought some chocolates for her family since we're gonna see them at Easter for lunch. We bought a few truffles for ourselves of course. Then we we to Babies R Us and checked out cribs. We also got some sneakers for me and some little light-up Spider-Man shoes for our unborn son. They rule! I can't wait for him to be old enough to wear those. After that we ate at the Indian restaurant called Tandoor. I enjoyed it but would have liked a little more spiciness. Then it was off to see George Carlin. I had never been to the Merrill Auditorium before and even though I liked the theater it was uncomfortable as hell. It was like sitting in coach on a plane. The opening act was ok. I don't remember his name but he was a local act. Carlin didn't actually get onto the stage until 9:00 and only did his act until 10:15. Kind of short but it was too funny. Laura barely made it through; she was so damn tired. She's a trooper though and I know she did it just for me. I love her for how selfless she can be. One thing that was a little odd was that Carlin had to read a little from sheets of paper he had for his act. He prefaced his performance by saying that his stint in rehab was the longest he had ever not done his act so he needed the paper to remember his bits. I still enjoyed myself and think he's still funny even after like 30 years. Anyway, I need to get to bed but I just had to write about the full day. Happy Easter everyone!

Floor people

2005-03-26T11:39:00.000-05:00

Well, I have decided to write in this blog and I am not sure why. It's sort of like an online diary yet aren't those supposed to be kept private? Weird. Anyway, the floor people are here and it's a big headache considering I can't do some things I wanted to do today on my day off. Laura and I are going to see George Carlin tonight and I hope that will help to relax us both because the drama really sucks. We plan on eating Indian food which I am really looking forward to. We also need to get to Target and would like to go to Best Buy to check out the new Ozzy box set called Prnice of Darkness. (It's got him doing Born to be Wild with Miss Piggy!) Our cats are hiding in the bedroom since there are people here hammering away and using power tools. Laura is out getting quarterboard (?) whatever that is and hopefully she won't be upset when she gets back. I am really looking forward to being with her all day and seeing George Carlin. More on him when we get back. Adios.